#012 A random flower

Just a short note today, but I hope that the impact I made was greater than the length of this blog post.

The other day as I walked down the main street of my home town I saw an elderly couple enjoying breakfast . They were sitting at a table in the alfresco area (a fancy way of saying table seating on the footpath) and both looking down at their food neither looking happy nor sad. They appeared to be in that comfortable silence that you get when you are with someone you love and have known them for a while. Just contented with the company and the prospect of eating breakfast out with them.

As I walked past I placed some flowers from my garden on their table and wished them an enjoyable breakfast. Their faces lit up with both surprise and happiness. They wished me a wonderful day and I continued on my way leaving them to their breakfast.

It was so simple, so easy, and so nice to share.

#011 Motorbike Rosella rescue

While weaving my way along a country road several years ago I was distressed to see a car coming from the opposite direction hit a Rosella. The bird hit the windshield, rolled over the roof in a ruffle of feathers and as it hit the road it went under a car following close behind.

I was devastated.  I love animals, especially birds. I watched as both cars drove off without a second glance. I then pulled my motorbike over. I looked at the bird and looked at my bike, no luggage capsule... There was nothing to do but unzip my motorbike jacket and placed the large stunned parrot against my chest. Now If you are not familiar with the Australian Rosella it is quite a long bird, so with my jacket zipped all the way up I had the birds head hear under my chin and the tail tip down down past my belly button.

With all haste I clambered back on my trusty steed and hot tailed it to the nearest vet 20 minutes away. All the way there my jacket was silent and still. I was hoping against hope that the bird was not taking it's final breath (or suffocating in my clothes). Finally I arrived at the vet, as I ungraciously dismounted trying not to jostle my precious cargo.  I unzipped my jacked and was shocked by a flurry of feathers, flapping and squawking  My rescued bird, was apparently not in need of as much rescuing as I offered. It flew away, hopefully back in the direction I had just relocated it from.

So while I like to think that the warm still environment in my jacket brought the bird back to life the truth is I probably just gave the Rosella a nerve wracking joy ride that only served to further disorient it. Oh well, sometimes you need to remind yourself that you can only do your best and accept that not all good intentions result in an act of kindness :)

#010 Are You Gonna Tow My Way?

A week or so ago I found myself in the awkward predicament of being half way off the freeway, in a car that wouldn't go with a baby. By half way off the freeway I mean I was in the left hand lane but I hadn't pulled over enough for the lane to be free and thus obstructing traffic flow.

After sitting for a little while, pondering the situation and watching all the cars slow down and go around me, a kind fellow in a van stopped and asked if I needed any help.
"I wouldn't mind pushing my car off the road completely so I'm not being such a pain in the @## to everyone driving past", I replied.
So he hopped out of his car and pushed me off the side of the road, I thanked him and he drove away.

Right, so now I am sitting in my car on the side of the motorway with cars whizzing past at 100km/hr. The problem with the car has happened before and could possibly right itself given 10-20 minutes to rest, but how the hell am I going to get back onto the road if it does?

At this point I was getting a little nervous and decided to call my partner for some advice, and possibly a tow truck. We decided I should wait a little while, try it again and if all else failed call for a tow.

When I got off the phone I was surprised and delighted to find a tow truck pulling up in front of me and one of those trucks with the big flashing arrows telling cars to move over behind. It was the Traffic Response Unit, funded by the government and run by the RACQ, who help to keep the motorways clear of obstructions. I felt like I was being rescued by a Super Hero!

Now I know it is their job to get people off the motorway but it felt like a random act of kindness as I hadn't called them, they just arrived and did exactly what I needed. On top of that they were super nice and towed me to a Super Cheap Auto store. They said if they could fix it they would and all I'd need to pay for was the parts. Luckily the car started after it's short rest and ride on the truck and I drove it home.

Just because someone does something nice as part of their job doesn't mean it isn't appreciated as an unexpected kindness by others. Treating other people with a kind manner is one of the easiest kindnesses around, it's free and may make a huge difference to someones day, just like my superheros kindness on the motorway.

Tea = Happiness too...World kindness Day special

In celebration of today the 13 November - world kindness day! 

For me tea = happiness just as much as a hug, so today I am celebrating world kindness day with a bottomless tea lovers cup.

I will have a range of teas at work and anyone who works in my inner city office building is welcome to stop by for a delicious cup of tea. BYO tea cup :)

#009 - country smile harvest (a note)

Walking in the country giving out a smile,

Waving to the people and cars as they go by,

Hello Mr post man

Hello doctor Ben

It sure is nice to share a smile and pass it on again.

The other day I walked down the street  harvesting smiles. As I smiled at strangers I observed that there were two basic responses: 1) A smile was returned to me, or 2) the stranger would avert their eyes. Interestingly if I included a slight head tilt or a hello I was guaranteed a smile in return. 

I live in a country town about 60 min from the city. I found that for every person that avoided my smile there were roughly 3-4 returned smiles. I'd love to hear what ratio others get. Happy smile harvesting!

:)

#008 10,000 smiles

Smiles are like liquid gold. Throw one of these on in the morning before heading out, and next thing you know you have passed it on to your family, the neighbours, the barista at your pre-work coffee place, and anyone you pass on the street or at work.

When you think about it a smile could theoretically travel around the world, spreading like a wave from the point of origin radiating out as it spreads from person to person to person (possibly getting picked up by a few enthusiastic pets along the way).

So, I decided that smiles are such a wonderful thing to share that I would undertake a mission, to create a giant wave or tsunami of smiles. This mission aims to send a wave around the world. Seeing that there are 40,000 odd kilometres in the circumference of the earth I figure if I collect 10,000 smiles and those people all passed their smiles on to only four people we will have 40,000 smiles and be well on the way to world domination.

So if you walk down the street and someone smiles at you in passing, why not collect that smile and pass it on. It is for a good cause after all :)

#007 - Perspectives on Kindness

Jos and I were heading back to our car the other day when we were approached by a distressed elderly lady. She had placed her handbag in a black Woolworth’s bag and left it beside her car, driven off only to find that on her return 10 min later the bag was gone.

Together the three of us scoured the car park looking for the missing bag. Strangely enough where she was parked there was a car with a black Woolworth’s bag in the back. This may or may not have been her bag but I wrote a note and left it on the windscreen leaving a short message and the elderly lady's name and number.

Although we had not succeeded in returning her handbag to her she thanked us effusively for our ‘act of kindness’.  Her choice of words stopped me short and I chuckled as I explained how my sister and I were starting a charity that would conduct Acts of Random kindness. Her response to this was rather unexpected … “Oh no, there is no need to give me money. I have enough money I just didn't want to cancel all my cards”.

We chatted for a little longer but I was unable to convey to the elderly lady how our Acts of Random Kindness aim to make everyday people happy with lots of different things. She kept returning to kind acts of gifted money.  As we drove away I realised that kindness can mean so many different things to so many people. 

It occurred to me - A kind act is only a kindness, if the recipient is receptive to the action.   

#006 Hugs = Happiness

If happiness was a commodity I'm positive it would be a hug. As far as hugs go they can be light and airy, or thoroughly engulfing. Whatever their form, if given and received freely they are guaranteed to impart a little bit of happiness.

This was really brought to my attention the other day while cycling home. I passed a young man in Canberra along city walk holding up a board with "Free Hugs" written on it. I cycled past and smiled thinking of the smile on his face and his message. After another 100 m I stopped, turned around and rode back.

As I got closer I had a good look at the young man. He had a big smile on his young handsome face, and he looked very fit, happy and healthy. When I reached out and hugged him I asked "Why are you giving away free hugs?" and his answer was simple:

"Because it feels good to give and  receive" Nothing more, nothing less, and it was true, I did feel good. So thank you random person for my free hug, and my little piece of random happiness.

#005 Can I Hold That For You?

The simple act of helping someone do something which should be easy but their circumstances make it more difficult is the easiest way to act kindly. Shopping at Ikea can be an arduous task on your own, the first two times I went I couldn't work out how to get out of the place. Now I have two small children, Bibi who is almost three and Jack merely eleven weeks old, who make a simple shopping trip even more difficult.

So we were at Ikea, in the foyer downstairs, waiting for Nanna to arrive. Bibi was having a ball running in and out and around the princess and the pea style bed and fabric display when suddenly she announced, "I need to go toilet!". Now I know going to the toilet is something most of us take for granted as being an easy task to accomplish. However with a baby strapped in front and an almost three year old the logistics get a little more difficult.

First begins the frantic looking around for the toilet signs and then the rushed navigation to them. Normally in this situation I would have picked her up and hurried there, as you never quite know how long they can hold on. But with little Jack strapped on this wasn't possible so we held hands and quickly got to the loo.

Next, of course, there is a line up. Two lovely ladies, one who is pregnant with eight weeks to go and the other with a two year old. Bibi seemed to be retaining her composure so we stood in line and waited our turn. Luckily only the lady with the toddler needed to go and we chatted to her sister while we waited. When it was our turn, they asked if I needed to go too and if they could help by holding the baby. I thanked them for the offer but could manage by myself.

Now I know, the thought of baby stealing did cross my mind too, but I'm sure they had no such intentions. They were simply offering to help a mother with her hands full. It was a kind gesture and even though I didn't take them up on it, it still made me feel good to know that someone cared. How often do you see mothers trying to man handle more than they should with their limited resources of only two hands? Although most would never ask for it, a helping hand is often appreciated.

#004 Sneaky pokery daughters and dads

I have always had a soft spot for doing random unexpected things, and find it quite enjoyable to add unpredictable happiness to peoples lives. Sometimes it is the small things like mopping the floor or washing someone's dishes.... but I can't resist a good gob-smacking surprise!

Many years ago my sisters and I left home to pursue the adventures of our lives. While my parents were happy for us, they also missed us with their 3 daughters scattered across Australia like leaves in the wind.  When I decided to arrange a surprise visit from Townsville, it required some sneaky pokery to cross all the t's and dot all the i's of my plan. This is where my dad came in, a man who loves a good belly laugh and luckily for me, a co-conspirator at heart.

How it unfolded...
Step 1- Making time: For the week before my arrival, mum was taking bookings for her salon as usual, completely unaware of my plans. In the background dad was rearranging bookings and calling people to put on fake voices to make fake bookings. Would you believe the number of people wanting really long appointments (like wedding hair rehearsals) that weekend! It would be enough to make a gal suspicious you'd think, but no, so far so good.

Step 2- False pretences: Living 3 hours away from their nearest daughter (and coincidentally the Brisbane airport) is quite convenient if another daughter wants to sneak into town. So under the pretence of a nice dinner with my sister, mum and dad drove to Brisbane.

Step 3-Late flights: Now no one can predict flight delays, but I was on a tight deadline and ever so nervous about how many times we circled the landing strip. As I watched the city rotating slowly below me I knew the dinner would be getting close to over and my mum, still unaware, would likely be making moves to leave. When we hit the tarmac I flew through luggage collection and hot footed it to the restaurant. Quick, quick quick!!

Step 4-Just in time: As I approached the table I could hear my mum "but we never have dessert and coffee! ....should be going... long drive ahead ..." I crept up behind and gave her a mighty bear hug. With so much shock and surprise tears started rolling down mums face. Dad, Bronte and I were laughing and all mum could say between sobs was "What are you doing here?"

Image by Natsky Photography.

Step 5-One last surprise: Dad and I had arranged one final surprise. Tickets to the theatre. Not just any old theatre show, but 'Phantom of the Opera'. This was a musical my family had on CD and had listened to over and over and over. It had enormous sentimental value and mum was beside herself when we announced we were staying in Brisbane going to see 'the phantom'! tears continued to stream as we revealed the secretly sabotaged salon bookings, the hidden theatre clothes in the boot of the car and all the humps and bumps of the last week to make the surprise possible.

Even now, writing about it I can't help but smile remembering how happy it made my mum to have such a momentous joint effort from her husband and her daughters, all aimed at making her happy. It was magical. The whole weekend, a perfect act of kindness.

#003 Blind happiness

My title may be a little deceptive. I am in a way writing about blind joy, but also referring to helping the blind. Let me explain...

While riding my bike to work I cycle through the city of Canberra. It is a wonderful morning routine that generally leaves me feeling pretty good in both my body and mind. I leave my husbands work where we park our car and cycle through the university. I generally pass groups of girls gossiping over late night escapades, young couples walking hand in hand; and the mature age students follow their life long dream.

My cycling also takes me on an aromatic journey. My nose identifies as I pass flowering side walks, coffee houses, garbage bins, and freshly baked goodies. But most of all, my cycling takes me through a lot of traffic lights. On a good run I can almost make it clear across town without stopping, but today I stopped. Not because of a traffic light, but to help a young blind girl cross the street.

Now most people would think that helping the blind girl was the act of kindness, and it was a kind act, but I think that the bigger act of kindness was to myself. When I stopped and helped, it left me with an enhanced feeling of happiness. I even enjoyed it when a bus driver slowed his bus and yelled out to me "Thaaaaaank yoooooou!!!!" as his bus rattled past. Clearly it made him happy too :)

It was such a quick and simple act yet it left me with blind joy that lasted well into the day. I guess it is like my husband said to me later ...being altruistic is ultimately hedonistic.

#002 Highways, wallets and strangers

For our second post I wanted to share a kindness done to me several years ago that I will never forget.

I was your typical everyday university student, surviving on 2min noodles, and home made moonshine (chilli ginger beer). In case it is not clear, I was broke. So broke that I would search supermarket trolleys for $5 shop-a-dockets pokey deals so I could hit collect and get some lunch.

Anyway.  We needed some furniture for our share house so my boyfriend and I decided to go bargain hunting at the tip-shop. We had finished looking around and I was putting my purchase in the back of the car, so I placed my wallet on the roof to use both hands.... and we drove off onto the highway.

Image courtesy of 'every day is a gift'

Now the people in the car behind us saw my wallet gracefully fly from the top of that car, hit the side of the highway and spray a fan of cards as it cart-wheeled along at 100km/hr. These kind folks stopped their car, walked back up the highway collecting all my cards and my wallet. They then began the arduous task of trying to find the silly goose of a girl who had left it on her car roof. It turned out that the only phone number I had in my wallet was the mum of a friend of a friend that I had not yet spoken to. So, through a series of confusing calls with a string of mothers asking their children who they knew in Townsville, they eventually found me, returned my wallet with all my cards, and my precious $20 for the weeks grocery run.

What struck me even more is that the lady suffered from lymphedema, causing massive swelling in her legs. So the simple task of walking up the highway would probably have been quite arduous and painful. I am eternally grateful to that wonderful couple, and became a regular customer at their market stall in Thuringowa (Townsville).

I was reminded of this act of kindness by my Cousin Jess who recently shared a similar incident regarding her hand bag, the back of her ute, and a very kind man who returned said handbag after she drove off leaving it in the dust. So a thank you also goes to "Michael" from Broken Hill who returned her whole handbag and as Jess put it “saved my butt!!”

#001 Wifey to the rescue

My wonderful husband and I have an understanding when it comes to creepy crawly critters. He deals with the cockroaches (I have an irrational fear of roaches) and I deal with the spiders (Europeans are not well known for their bravery in the face of Australian spiders, especially after a hit European TV series about "Australia's deadliest creatures"). 

On Sunday hubby was cleaning out the garage to make room for the sad hulk of our camper van whose engine seized a few days ago. All of a sudden I hear an almighty scream 'honnnneeeeey!!!!!!' 

Of course I came running to find a shaky husband pointing at an absolutely enormous huntsman spider. Now relocating this beastie is not really an option as he looked fit enough to cross continents and find his way back to our garage so I'm faced with a decision: Is my act of kindness to calm hubby by killing the spider, or to save the spider. I saved the spider.

Now to put this in context we have been getting a few white tip spiders and hubby has had quite a few unknown nasty bites which we suspect are from these white tips. Seeing that huntsman spiders prey on other spiders (and this fella looked like he could feast on a legion of white tips) I talked hubby into letting the garage resident stay... I guess time will tell if this is an act of kindness or a prolonged agony